Latest News

We Love Clean Rivers (WLCR) recently was awarded a grant from Clackamas County Tourism and Cultural Affairs to develop a plan for a whitewater surf park on the lower Clackamas River. Such a park will make the lower Clackamas River a destination spot for whitewater kayakers, stand-up paddlers (SUP), surfers, river boarders, and canoeists. “A whitewater surf park on the lower Clackamas River will offer great tourism benefits to the local area,” says Sam Drevo, President of WLCR. “Whitewater parks across the country have created booms in tourism and economic development by promoting recreation, training, commerce, improved safety, and fish habitat,” explained Mr. Drevo. One example is a whitewater park in Golden, Colorado. This investment has had an economic impact of $1.8 million a year and improved fish habitat in Clear Creek. Whitewater and stand up paddling have been growing in popularity in Oregon yet they are a largely untapped target for river tourism. Shortened commute time and easy access could generate an “after work” crowd on the lower Clackamas, serving a pent-up demand for outdoor whitewater recreation. The project will also benefit fish habitat on the lower Clackamas. “A well designed and constructed water feature could provide habitat benefits for fish and aquatic life as well as for boaters,” said Tim Shibahara, the Supervisor Fish Biologist with Portland General Electric (PGE). WLCR will partner with McLaughlin Whitewater Design, experts in whitewater park design, on this project. They will conduct preliminary engineering, design, and cost analysis and will create a presentation for the various agencies overseeing fish and wildlife. In addition, an economic impact study will be conducted that examines community benefits such as improved tourism, environmental awareness, fish habitat, and safety. PGE, American Whitewater, Metro Parks, Oregon Whitewater Association, Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club, Northwest River Guides/eNRG Kayaking, All About Rivers, Reed College, and Popina Swimwear support this project. Please contact WLCR if you are interested in advocating, funding, or stewarding this project. High resolution photos of surf park projects like this one are available upon request. Contact: Kate Daniel Email: kated@welovecleanrivers.org Phone: 503.729.5807 ...

Hello! Believe it or not, next Saturday and Sunday is the first weekend in October. It’s also it is time for the 2nd Annual Willamette Falls festival and We Love Clean Rivers will be part of the festivities, so come join us! For a full list of events which include: the Great Willamette Cleanup, a 5K Funathalon, Tribal Demonstrations from the Confederated Tribe of the Grand Ronde, an Artisan Farmers Market, Tours of the Blue Heron industrial facility, Carnival Rides, and many more CLICK HERE The Following is a list of events that you can join to support We Love Clean Rivers: October 4th: Benefit Dinner, 6pm, Museum of the Oregon Territory: TODAY, SEPTEMBER 30th IS THE LAST DAY TO BUY TICKETS! Enjoy Native NW foods prepared by Chef Matt Bennett and The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde at Willamette Falls Festival’s benefit dinner. Your dinner ticket will help us continue our programming to keep our rivers healthy: Check out the delicious menu here! October 5th Great Willamette Clean Up, presented by the Willamette Riverkeeper – 8:30 – 11:30 am Clackamette Park – Registration Required – Join the cleaning efforts of hundreds of volunteers, scour 191 miles of the Willamette River to promote healthy and sustainable river use! Legacy Sculpture Dedication – 12:00pm Clackamette Park – Celebrate the success of the We Love Clean River’s legacy project, crafted by local artist Ben Dye, at a community event. Clackamette Park is going to have a new entrance facade! Ripple Art Demonstration – 10am – 6pm Clackamette Park – Meet the wonderful artists that came to the Down the River Cleanup as they upcycle found items of trash from the Clackamas River into art. FIREWORK SHOW – Dusk, Downtown Oregon City – After an inspiring day of community events, stick around for yet another jaw dropping display of loud fireworks! This is by far the best firework display in Oregon City each year. October 6th Ripple Art Demonstration – 10am-2pm – If you did not have a chance to meet artists, on Saturday, there will be more to time to come meet them on Sunday! We are looking forward to this awesome weekend, the weather forecast is looking favorable too! See you...

Please join us for a Special Evening Native Northwest Foods prepared by Chef Matt Bennett and The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde When Friday, October 4th 6-9pm Where Museum of the Oregon Territory 211 Tumwater Dr., Oregon City Why The Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition is donating their proceeds to We Love Clean Rivers! Proceeds will allow us to continue mobilizing the recreations community to help clean high use rivers, such as the mighty Willamette River. What The amazing native cuisine dinner features Chef Matt Bennett, owner of Sybaris Restaurant in Albany and 2011 James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef in the North West. Chef Bennett worked with the Grand Ronde Tribe to Plan the menu highlighting traditional tribal foods. His menu will feature Grilled Wild Oregon Chinook Salmon, Chilled Smoked Venison Sausage, a taste of barbecued eel on camas-acorn crostini, huckleberry compote with frosted spruce tips and so much more. How Purchase tickets by Monday, September 30th –$50 per person. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS Thanks to the dinner sponsor: Portland General Electric The Benefit Dinner is the kick-off event of the Willamette Falls Festival, an action packed 2-day celebration of our industrial and cultural heritage, as well as our natural wonders and outdoor recreation. Now in its second year, the Willamette Falls Festival is sponsored by the Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition, in collaboration with Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Cities of Oregon City and West Linn, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and many many more. Proceeds Benefit WE LOVE CLEAN...

Friends of We Love Clean Rivers, We are privileged to announce that our organization is the beneficiary of the 2nd Annual Willamette Falls Festival, presented by the Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition. The 2nd annual event will take place on October 4th-6th. This festival is an action packed 2-day celebration of our industrial and cultural heritage, as well as our natural wonders and outdoor recreation. Highlighted in this post are specific events and times that showcase We Love Clean Rivers’ continual efforts to enhance our rivers and its community of users. For complete schedule of events at the Willamette Falls Festival, visit their website here. October 4th: Benefit Dinner, 6pm, Museum of the Oregon Territory: Enjoy Native NW foods prepared by Chef Matt Bennett and The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde at Willamette Falls Festival’s benefit dinner. Your dinner ticket will help us continue our programming and keep our waters healthy: Check out the menu here! October 5th Great Willamette Clean Up, presented by the Willamette Riverkeeper – 8:30 – 11:30 am Clackamette Park -Join the cleaning efforts of hundreds of volunteers, scour 187 miles of the Willamette River to promote healthy and sustainable river use! Legacy Sculpture Dedication – 12:00pm Clackamette Park -Celebrate the success of the We Love Clean River’s legacy project, crafted by locat artist Ben Dye, at a community event. Ripple Art Demonstration – 10am – 6pm Clackamette Park -Meet the wonderful artists that came to the Down the River Cleanup as they upcycle found items of trash from the Clackamas River into art. FIREWORK SHOW – Dusk, Downtown Oregon City -After an inspiring day of community events, stick around for yet another jaw dropping display of loud fireworks! This is by far the best firework display in Oregon City each year. October 6th Ripple Art Demonstration – 10am-2pm -If you didn’t have a chance to meet artists, on Saturday, there will be more to time to come meet them on Sunday! Ben Dye fast at work on We Love Clean River’s Legacy Project. Invite your friends to the dedication of this monumental piece of recycled art and the new entrance to Clackamette Park....

Attn: Friends of the Clackamas River & RiPPLe Effect Artists, Registration for the, 11th Annual Down the River Clean Up has been filled. Thank you for signing up online and we will see you on Sunday, September 8th, 9am at Barton County Park! All of our gears are in motion to remove trash out of the Clackamas River. Now we are reaching out to the artist community through the RiPPLe Art Project. We Love Clean Rivers and the RiPPLe Art project will be featured in the Willamette Falls Festival, with a live art demonstration, in Oregon City on October 5th & 6th. The official call to all RiPPLe Artists has been made. Review the guidelines here and submit your application by Friday, September 6th! Please review these documents and guidelines carefully as we are approaching this date quickly and there are some particular requirements for participating. Questions??? Please email us directly or call #503-512-9527....

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL CALL TO ARTISTS Applications are due, Friday, September 6th at 6pm. The RiPPLe Effect works in conjunction with We Love Clean Rivers to inspire conscious consumerism through art and education by re-purposing waste pulled from our rivers and turning it into art. It is an annual event that showcases local artists and their work made from trash collected from the Clackamas River during the Down the River Clean-up. The RiPPLe Art program began in 2008 when We Love Clean Rivers volunteer, Jenn Reilly, founded the RiPPLe Effect—to inspire people to make sustainable lifestyle choices through art. RiPPLe Effect originally consisted of one event, the RiPPle Art Auction, where Jenn put together a team of local artists and had them sort through trash collected out of the Clackamas River during the annual Down the River Clean Up event. The artists then had one month to turn their trashy findings into art to be displayed and auctioned off at the Auction. The event was a huge hit and has since become not only an annual fundraiser and educational celebration, but also an on-going awareness program aimed at promoting sustainability, stewardship, recreation, FUN, and reuse through art! This year the RiPPLe Effect will be showcased in Oregon City with a live art demonstration at the Willamette Falls Festival, October 4th-6th. Want to Participate in the RiPPLe Art Project and the Willamette Falls Festival? Please read the official call to artists at this webpage and submit an application to andy@welovecleanrivers.org by Friday, September...

Hey River Friends! Online registration is now open for the 11th Annual Down the River Clean Up on the Clackamas – to take place Sunday Sept 8, 2013. Spots fill quickly. REGISTER HERE TODAY! And don’t be shy to sign up for one of our fun on-land position too – there’s a spot on the registration form where you can indicate if you are interested. Online registration is required by all participants this year. We are also still seeking Key Volunteers: Garage Scow Captains, Kayak POD Leaders, Event Raft Captains and Material Recovery Leaders & Assistants. So, if you own a boat and/or love freeing the beautiful Clackamas River of litter and want to be a key volunteer, please email us directly or call #503-512-9527. Thanks so much for participating and see you on the river! ...

We Love Clean Rivers, Inc. is proud to continue our sponsorship of the Stash the Trash campaign to protect the Clackamas River. The Stash the Trash campaign began in 2006 and came to fruition through the efforts of the Clackamas River Basin Council. Through this partnership our organizations and volunteers have become intimately aware of the amount of garbage that piles up in the river and on its banks each year. As a sponsor of this campaign, We Love Clean Rivers asks its supporters to peer model “best-practice” by using these bags and leave the river cleaner than when you found it. The Clackamas River is greatly appreciated for its proximity and ease of access for Portland Metropolitan residents and as a destination river for all types of recreational users. Preventing trash from entering the river is of upmost importance: the Clackamas River provides drinking water for over 300,000 people, supports the last significant run of wild late-run Coho in the Columbia basin, and is home of one of two remaining runs of Spring Chinook in the Willamette Basin. – Trash isn’t good for salmon, drinking water, or recreational users. Recreational users of all types look for these bags at County and State Parks where they put in to raft, kayak, or boat the river. Each summer, more than six-thousand bags are taken from their distribution stations. Park Rangers often refill these stations twice a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day, evidence that they are being used. In addition to these efforts each summer, river lovers unite on the second Sunday of September at the Annual Down the River Clean Up to dedicate a full day of cleaning on the Clackamas River. This year’s 11th annual event will be held Sunday, September 8th at Barton County Park. Volunteers will be recognized with a FREE barbeque, featuring live music by Tubs of Love. There will also be a fantastic silent auction featuring outdoor product and educational booths to learn more about the Clackamas River Basin. Please support We Love Clean Rivers by joining our Stash the Trash campaign and become a peer role model for all river users. It’s simple, pick up one of these bags at your local boat ramp on the Clackamas, pick up a few items of trash on the river, and dispose the trash properly at a designated trash or recycling container! These bags are durable and are meant to be used multiple times, so keep them around for all of your river adventures and help us Stash the Trash! Official sponsors of the Stash the Trash Campaign include: Clackamas River Basin Council Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Clackamas County Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Clackamas River Water Providers Clackamas County Dump Stoppers and WE LOVE CLEAN RIVERS!...

Clackamas River Water Providers (CRWP) demonstrates a profound commitment to the Clackamas River and human power pursuits to clean it by supporting the Down River Clean Up! Thank you CRWP for all your continued support over the past four years! A few simple questions help anyone understand how the CRWP fits into the framework Clackamas River. Approaching the kitchen faucet to fill up a glass of water, there are some basic questions. Where does our water come from? –Easy answer (for an Oregon City resident), it is drawn from The Clackamas River, gets cleaned up at a treatment facility, and then flows through miles of pipes to come out my faucet. But the CRWP doesn’t manage that system, many cities drink water from the Clackamas River, including: Oregon City, Gladstone, West Linn, Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge, Estacada, Lake Oswego, Sunnyside, Milwaukie, Damascus and many unincorporated neighborhoods in Clackamas County. Collectively, these cities are represented by six separate water providing organizations. These organizations deliver water to 300,000 residents of Clackamas County, whoah! –Okay, we are closer to the CRWP, but not quite there. The next questions are a little bit deeper: Do these water providers work together and have collective efforts to provide and protect the Clackamas River basin? Is there a focused group concerned with the future planning and management of the Clackamas River? YES, The Clackamas River Water Providers (CRWP) was officially recognized in 2007 to formalize collaborative work on the watershed and expand efforts relating to water quality and water conservation. The purpose of the CRWP is to fund and coordinate efforts regarding water resource planning and management, water conservation and the development of the Clackamas River on a sustainable basis. One of the CRWP’s top priorities is to protect our water resources. Check out their programs and case studies here. Clackamas River lovers will unite on Sunday, September 8th, 2013 for the 11th Annual Down the River Clean Up in efforts to sustain our precious resource for future...

Hey River Friends, It’s getting to be that time of year when you put your rain gear away and pull out the sunscreen, boats and hit the river! In addition to getting wet, we are also in full-on planning mode for our Annual Down the River Clean Up on the Clackamas and wanted to remind you to SAVE THE DATE! This year marks the 11th year of this special, on-river clean up, and it will take place on Sunday, September 8, 2013 — main event space at Barton County Park. Registration is required by all participants this year and will open on August 8, 2013. We have some exciting things in the works this year, so stay tuned by checking for updates on our new blog! And in the meantime, if you’d like to sign up for the Down the River Clean Up as a key volunteer, sponsor the event, have a booth or just want to introduce yourself, please get in touch with Andy Wuest. Andy is our new 2013 Event Coordinator, and we are excited to introduce him to the We Love Clean Rivers community. Feel free to email him at coordinator@welovecleanrivers.org or call 503-512-9527. We also wanted to let you know about a cool opportunity to HELP PORTLAND BREAK A WORLD RECORD! This Friday, on July 5th, 700 people will be getting together to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the “Most People in a Floating Line.” The current record was set in 2008 by 542 people in Viareggio, Italy. This event will be capped at 700 people and spots are going fast, so sign up super quick-like at worldfloat.eventbrite.com Safety Kayakers are needed for this event. If you can lend a hand 8:30-11:30am July 5th, sign up by emailing will@humanaccessproject.com. Cheers, We Love Clean...